Burping or colloquially also burping (Röbsen, Röpsen, Burpsen, Rölbsen, lat. Ructus, engl. eructation) refers to the bringing up of air from the digestive tract or the respiratory organs. The main source of burping is the esophagus and the stomach. The air then finally escapes through the mouth and is usually accompanied by a noise with a typical sound of burping or belching.
What is belching?
Burping is the escape of air from the stomach and is caused by a disorder of the closure between the esophagus and the stomach. Often, heartburn sets in with belching. Burping is a completely natural process. When burping, air escapes from the stomach and noisily makes its way upwards. In today’s society, belching is considered extremely indelicate and an expression of poor upbringing. But this was not always the case. In the Middle Ages, burping was considered a sign that one was full and had tasted the food. Today, only in babies is burping considered socially acceptable. After drinking, the baby is encouraged to burp. This is nothing more than burping, the escape of air swallowed during drinking.
Causes
Usually, belching is caused by rapid drinking or eating. When this happens, air is swallowed unintentionally or intentionally. However, burping can also be triggered by drinks containing gas. In particular with mineral water, sparkling wine or beer. Here the rising gas is carbon dioxide. Rarely, gastroesophageal reflux can also be the cause of belching. Other causes for gas development in the stomach and subsequent belching can be too much and too hasty food or also flatulent foods such as legumes, which produce gases in the stomach. Carbonated drinks and stress are also triggers for frequent belching. The escape of air from the stomach, belching, is a natural process, has health benefits and therefore should not be suppressed. It is better to let the air escape in a suitable place than to suppress belching. If the stomach is filled with too much air and bloated, it pushes the diaphragm upwards. As a result, it presses against the heart and palpitations may occur. Because the chest cavity is severely constricted by the distended stomach, this can also lead to obstructed breathing with shortness of breath and even dizziness.
Diseases with this symptom
- Gallstones
- Achalasia
- Gastric mucosa-
inflammation (gastritis)
- Reflux esophagitis
- Duodenal ulcer
- Food
intolerance
Burping in babies
Especially in babies, a lot of gas accumulates during food intake. This gas is very unpleasant for the infant and gets rid of it with the so-called “burp”. A favorable position for this is a conducive position of the child, for example over the shoulder of the parents or if it is massaged in the lower back area in a stimulating manner. Not infrequently, babies also vomit smaller amounts of food when burping, so a towel would be useful for cleaning.
Complications
Burping, especially acid regurgitation, can lead to a number of complications. Possible accompanying symptoms include nausea, chest pain, and a severe scratching sensation in the throat, but frequent belching may also promote sleep and eating disorders. Furthermore, constant belching can lead to accidental swallowing of gastric juice. This also irritates the respiratory tract and makes it susceptible to symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Although there is no high health risk in this case, the burden on sufferers is usually very great. If heartburn occurs over a long period of time, it can lead to inflammation of the esophagus and pharynx and, in addition, to esophageal cancer and comparable diseases. In this case, the stomach acid changes the mucous membrane of the esophagus and thus also the structure of the cells, which can lead either to malignant changes such as cancer or inflammation. One of the most common complications of acid regurgitation is diaphragmatic hernia. Although achalasia is not directly triggered by belching, it can be massively promoted by it.People with pre-existing conditions are particularly at risk and should not delay treatment due to possible sequelae. The first signs of complications of belching are bleeding, pain in the throat area and inflammation of the mucosa, and, as it progresses, ulcers, narrowing and severe dysphagia in the lungs and throat.
When should you see a doctor?
Belching air or gas is generally not problematic as long as it does not occur in excess. A doctor should be consulted if the discomfort occurs suddenly or increases sharply, accompanying symptoms such as indigestion or pain in the area of the trachea are added or there are concomitant breathing difficulties. The same applies if the regurgitated air smells bad or is regurgitated together with undigested food. Stool odor during belching indicates an intestinal obstruction and must be clarified by a doctor as soon as possible. Foul odors are also a warning sign: often there is an underlying malignant tumor that requires rapid treatment. If the symptoms are accompanied by stomach pain and a reduced appetite, a specialist should also be consulted, as there is a risk of gastritis or a similar condition. If heartburn is suspected, the symptoms can often be treated with the help of over-the-counter medications, but to be on the safe side, a professional diagnosis should also be performed. If the medications do not bring the desired success or the complaints even increase, the visit to the gastroenterologist is necessary. Especially if there are concomitant swallowing difficulties, repeated vomiting and swelling in the abdomen. Also, a strong and unintentional weight loss, black-colored stools and bloody vomiting are warning signs, in which affected persons should refrain from self-treatment and instead consult a doctor.
Treatment and therapy
A few precautions can be taken to reduce gas formation in the stomach and thus burping or belching. For example, fast and hasty gulping leads to swallowing excessive air, whereas slow and deliberate eating and thorough chewing are optimal. If a lot is said while eating, excessive air also enters the stomach, which is later transported out again by belching. A change in diet and avoidance of flatulent foods and carbonated beverages can also bring an improvement. However, frequent belching can also be an indication of a serious illness or functional disorder of the stomach, such as gastritis or an infestation of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori. Sometimes food intolerances are also to blame for excessive gas production in the stomach and subsequent belching. For example, many people are sensitive to lactose, fructose, gluten or certain proteins. Another possibility for frequent belching is a leaky upper stomach obstruction, which may have resulted from certain diseases or medications. However, frequent belching associated with heartburn may also indicate reflux disease, in which stomach acid and food debris rise into the esophagus. Frequent belching should be clarified by a doctor if possible. Treatment depends on the particular diagnosis (gastritis, diseases and bulges in the esophagus, malfunction of the upper gastric obstruction).
Outlook and prognosis
In case of belching, it is not mandatory to consult a doctor. It occurs in many cases after eating or drinking carbonated beverages and does not necessarily require treatment. In many cases, belching is accompanied by a burning sensation. This is the well-known heartburn. This condition can develop if belching is not treated. In this case, the esophagus is permanently damaged by the regurgitating stomach acid. This damage is irreversible. Burping can also occur as a result of certain medications, which is why the muscle on the stomach does not close tightly. In this case, a change of medication is recommended. Without treatment, gastritis can also occur, it is a common reason for strong belching. If the belching is very strong and also undigested food mush enters the mouth, a doctor must be consulted. A doctor must also be consulted urgently in the event of foul odors caused by belching.Treatment is with medications, and in a few cases surgery must be performed. Before the treatment, a gastroscopy is performed. In most cases, the cause of belching can be cured, so here is a positive course of the disease.
Prevention
For occasional belching, a cup of stomach-soothing chamomile tea or healing clay intended for internal use will help. Caraway, anise, and fennel tea have the same helpful effect. Exercise and frequent drinking also aid digestion and reduce gas formation in the stomach and intestines. Small meals spread throughout the day make it easier for the stomach to digest, and prevent an unpleasant feeling of fullness and annoying belching. Easily digestible foods are preferable to fatty and hard-to-digest foods. If you have an irritable stomach, you should avoid caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods, because they would unnecessarily irritate the stomach lining and hinder digestion. If the stomach reacts to stress with digestive discomfort and belching, relaxation exercises such as yoga are helpful.
What you can do yourself
Belching is usually harmless and can often already be alleviated by a change in eating habits. It is recommended to eat slowly and consciously and to chew each bite thoroughly. Eating several, more regular meals in a calm, stress-free atmosphere will also relieve the digestive tract. Foods that are difficult to digest, such as raw vegetables, should be reduced until the symptoms have subsided. After eating, an extended digestive walk also helps to avoid the unpleasant belching. In the case of acid regurgitation, a digestive sleep with the upper body elevated often brings the desired relief. As a general rule, irritants such as excessively fatty or sweet foods, alcohol or nicotine, and carbonated drinks should be avoided. Instead, deflating teas with fennel, chamomile or caraway help to reduce belching. To avoid belching at night, the last meal should be eaten no more than three to four hours before bedtime. Avoiding stress can also reduce belching in many cases. If the belching persists or there is acid regurgitation or even vomiting, the family doctor should be consulted for treatment.
